The world is recovering from COVID-19, but countries are doing this in a different pace.
Some do better than others, while some do worse.
One example, is South Korea, the East Asian nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula.
Since the beginning of 2022, the country saw a huge increase in infection.
With the country's health sector struggling, one doctor made a statement on Facebook that would then cause huge criticism in the country.
He said that people who have not yet contracted COVID-19 are probably those who have no friends.
"The adults who have not yet been infected with COVID-19 are those who have interpersonal problems," Ma Sang-hyeok wrote on Facebook on March 16.
Sooner than later, his post sparked criticism.
Not only because South Korea was struggling to contain the virus, but also because Ma created the post at the same day South Korea recorded a record 621,317 new coronavirus cases, and also when the number of critical patients and deaths were hitting record highs.
In an interview, he said that his Facebook post was meant to be "metaphorical."
"It emphasized how difficult it is for anyone to avoid the virus in a situation where there is a high rate of confirmed cases in the area," he said.
And when he created the post, it was exactly the situation in South Korea at the time.
Ma has been extremely vocal about trying to adapt to the virus, and getting the society to come to terms with COVID-19, and consider it an endemic.
According to The Korea Herald news agency, he asserted that the country’s medical system should be reorganized so that people who test positive for the virus can receive prompt treatment.
This is as opposed to the South Korean government's plan of following protocols and maintaining social distancing rules to avoid the spread and new infection numbers.
"It is unfortunate for those who are dying of COVID-19, but we also need to think about the people who cannot go to the hospital even if they are sick and suffer from fear and pain at home. They should have the right to receive treatment," he said.
As a Professor, Ma worked as a member of the Coronavirus Crisis Response Committee, and served as the vice president of the Korean Vaccine Society. He also serves as the Chairman of the Social Infectious Diseases Countermeasures Committee in Gyeongnam.
His career has grown in importance during the time COVID-19 cases are escalating in numbers.
Among other reasons, this was why his Facebook post drew huge criticisms.
"The people around me are worried about making a statement that is at a high level. Still, he carries his armament because it's hard to improve without intense criticism," he said.
"I think it’s possible because there is no political greed at all,” he said.
While the doctor make some valid points, his initial thoughts regarding friendships (or lack thereof), and the ability to dodge COVID-19 has not gone down well with those online.
Because his post has offended many people, he took the responsibility and apologized.
"I am fully aware that there have been misunderstandings in my remarks, and I am sorry. However, the purpose was to reveal and share the distorted aspects of the corona situation," he added.